"Of course," answered Victoria. "But you'll come back, won't you?"
"Oh, goodness knows. No, I don't suppose I shall."
They began to walk homewards. Johannes was near to tears.
"Well, good-bye," said Victoria.
"No, I can go with you a little farther."
But her heartlessness in being so ready to bid him good-bye had made him bitter, stirred up the wrath in his wounded heart. He stopped abruptly and said with righteous indignation: "But I'll tell you this, Victoria, you won't get anybody who would have been so kind to you as I should. That's all I've got to say."
"Well, but Otto is kind too," she objected.
"All right, take him."
They went a few paces in silence.
"I shall have a splendid time. Don't be afraid about that. You don't even know what my reward's going to be."